[Verse 1]
His mother told him when he was just young
There are things you can do, but some can't be done
And you won't be able to always have fun
'Cause your color is black, some won't accept that

[Chorus]
Oh dear, what can the matter be?
Oh dear, what can the matter be?
Oh dear, what can the matter be?

[Verse 2]
Now time moves on, the world moves fast
No time for flowers, no place to grow grass
There's no fishing hole where he used to go
Just four story factories with pillows of smoke

[Chorus]
Oh dear, what can the matter be?
Oh dear, what can the matter be?
Oh dear, what can the matter be?

[Verse 3]
All the bushes have grown from society's rot
Young ideas keep moving, but the old way's still taught
Though his mind is his own it seems all that he's got
He's six months in jail, for just smoking pot
[Chorus]
Oh dear, what can the matter be?
Oh dear, what can the matter be?
Oh dear, what can the matter be?